Post-Merger IT Integration: Custom Or Off-The-Rack?

Executive Summary

With eight deals valued at $1 billion or more announced during September 2010, it's clear that mergers and acquisitions have moved to the top of many executive agendas. A big chunk of the planned synergy savings and integration costs often depends on a well-executed IT systems integration, putting CIOs in the hot seat. Can adopting a standardized IT integration approach save time and money? Or is each IT integration so different that it's better to create a customized approach?